BMW Sees Car as Digital Platform

Interesting regards the breadth of integrated technology, but the reaction of consumers to 'microtransactions' or payment/subscription for many elemental features in already high cost luxury vehicles, may be very negative.   But it does depend on the value positioning of such premium capabilities.

BMW is going all-in on in-car microtransactions.  Like in-app purchases, but for your car
By Sean O'Kane@sokane1  Jul 2, 2020,  in TheVerge  ... "

And directly from BMW:

BMW Connected Car Beta Days 2020: July will bring a comprehensive software upgrade with numerous new services.  From BMWUsaNews

Justin  Berkowitz
Mariella  Kapsaskis

New services such as the cloud-based navigation BMW Maps, Digital Key for iPhone and an update for the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG:
“Digital technologies belong to the core of BMW – because hardware and software are of equal importance for premium cars. Our mission is to integrate advanced digital technologies with highest product excellence to enhance our customers’ experience and driving pleasure even more.”

1.     Overview.
In July 2020, BMW will release its most comprehensive vehicle software upgrade to date, with new and improved features for vehicle connectivity and navigation. These features will be included straight from the factory with every BMW vehicle that has Operating System 7, such as the new BMW 5 Series. And for certain compatible BMW vehicles built before July, already in customers’ hands, these great new updates can even be added with a free over-the-air software upgrade, available from third quarter onwards.

BMW Maps offers a completely new navigation experience: Faster, more intuitive, and more accurate. Destinations can be entered more easily. New cloud-based route calculation brings a significant improvement in performance. BMW Maps also provides contextual information for points of interest, such as ratings, business hours and images. Connected Parking also supports the search for parking spaces with additional services.
The BMW Digital Key, which has just been announced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, turns an iPhone into a fully digital – and secure - vehicle key.
With the upgrade, BMW vehicles receive wireless support of Google’s Android AutoTM.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is getting a new design and has been enhanced with numerous intelligent functions. For example, the virtual character now turns towards the person talking and can distinguish between addressing the driver and the passenger.
Since 2018, the Remote Software Upgrade has enabled BMW drivers with compatible vehicles to keep their vehicle up to date with the latest software, just like with a smartphone. The new functions can be downloaded and installed over-the-air. This is particularly convenient and extremely fast: even for extensive upgrades, hardly more than 20 minutes of installation time is required.

2.    Digital personalization with functions on demand.

Flexible offers, available immediately, simple to book and easy to use.

BMW sees the car as a digital platform. More than two decades ago, BMW ConnectedDrive paved the way to more individual mobility. Since then, the company has been enabling its customers to benefit from the rapid technological development at any time with the continuously added digital services. With Remote Software Upgrade, BMW has created the technical basis for keeping vehicles up to date, adding additional vehicle functions, and installing them quickly and easily over the air.

BMW already offers its customers digital services and additional vehicle functions in the form of digital after-sales, some of which are deeply embedded in the vehicle's software. In the US, BMW Drive Recorder is offered through a pilot program. In the near future, additional functions will be added that can access the vehicle's existing hardware and software, such as certain comfort functions or driver assistance systems.  ... 




With the option of subsequently booking additional vehicle functions via the ConnectedDrive Store, BMW is strengthening selection and personalization for customers, offering them maximum flexibility. BMW provides the hardware and software in the vehicle at the time of manufacture for the implementation so that it can be adapted later on as required and in accordance with customer preferences.  If, for example, vehicle functions were not yet requested at the time of purchase, they can be added later. A second owner thus can configure the used vehicle according to their own wishes.

BMW is also exploring avenues to expand in-car communication in the future. BMW will be able to offer its customers tailor-made services directly in the vehicle depending on the situation – if the driver so desires.

The introduction of the BMW iNext will further expand the opportunities for personalization.

3.    BMW Maps.

The new cloud-based navigation promises relaxed driving and safe arrival.

Arrive faster, safer and more relaxed: the next generation of the online routing service offers a completely new type of route guidance and usability. The cloud-based system enables a significant improvement in performance, makes navigation more agile, and impresses customers with its intuitive destination entry and high level of accuracy. BMW Maps calculates routes faster and more dynamically than before by combining real-time information with prediction models.

Free text input in the search bar ensures a contemporary user experience. As an intuitive input line, it allows free search for destinations, just like on smartphones and search engines. Of course, BMW Maps can also be controlled easily and conveniently by voice using the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

BMW Maps lists the search results based on the vehicle's position and provides contextual information on the destination such as images, opening hours and ratings, as well as an indication of the parking situation at the destination. 

The cloud-based navigation enables a continuous update of the expected arrival time. Using real-time traffic information (RTTI) as well as historical and extrapolated data, BMW Maps keeps the driver informed at all times, optimally adjusts routes and keeps an eye on potential danger spots. Thanks to the very comprehensive data volume on traffic, even on smaller streets, BMW Maps avoids unnecessary detours through residential areas.

These services are also made possible by the consolidated information from over 14 million BMW vehicles. The connected cars transmit anonymized data on current traffic conditions on-site and allow other BMW vehicles to benefit from it, for example on traffic flow or danger spots. For navigation, BMW Maps always uses the latest map material, which is regularly updated over-the-air. ... "